Stopped by Mexican Police

Daniel

Mexican traffic cops are strapped. Yes, that's an Uzi.

After being pulled over three times in one day, and talking to a lot of locals about their illustrious police force, we figured we'd share some of it. If you're ever driving through Mexico, especially the capital, you're almost guaranteed to be stopped. If you never plan on coming here, that's silly, and read on anyway because it's interesting.

Mexican police are divided into three categories. Municipal, estatal, and federal. The most corrupt are the estatal, mainly in Mexico DF. Their most common con involves the law which prohibits certain vehicles with certain plates from driving on certain days. It's an environmental measure, so I support it, but they don't enforce it impartially, or even legally. It only applies to foreign vehicles from 5 to 11 in the morning, but you could be pulled over for it whenever, because they assume you don't know any better. They'll threaten, emptily from what we hear, to impound the car unless you pay the fine directly to the officer. He will usually accept a fraction of the full amount.

The municipal police usually won't bother you without reason. Drive carefully, especially in touristy areas. So far we've been stopped for palm fronds on the roof, still skeptical about that one, and deservedly for minor speeding. They aren't banking on bribes the way the estatales do. They'll capitalize on any chance you give them.

Then there are the federales. How do I love thee. The dread that arises whenever we see flashing blue lights turns to relieved joy when we see FEDERAL on the side of the car. Don't be unnerved by the stern faces. The muscles required to smile are bound to atrophy in any civil service job. All they usually want is a license and the permit any foreign vehicle needs. Once they see you're legal, they're typically friendly, curious about the travels, and glad to give directions. I actually kind of like being pulled over by these guys. Mexico does strange things to the mind. The army hangs out on the roads too. Aside from a cursory search, it's almost the same.

Whatever the uniform, follow the traffic laws. You know what a stop sign looks like. Even if you drive like an angel you are not guaranteed safe passage, which is why it helps to know the local rules before you arrive. Once you're pulled over, have copies of the license and the car permit handy, and give those first if you can. If you know Spanish, speak it. If you don't, English sometimes wears them out. Establish what you're being pulled over for. Then plead ignorance. The response that got us through was the poor traveller. "Officer, I don't have any money and am just trying to see your beautiful country. Any money I give you is a meal that I miss." The more like a Charles Dickens character, the better. They're about as interested in a real ticket as Al Capone was in doing his taxes.

Never become aggressive, and never make threats. If the cop is especially stubborn, it's up to you when the bribe is worth paying. Normally 200 pesos was the most, and often less. If it feels like real trouble, which it normally should not, tell them you need your consulate, innocently, and move slowly. If you're really nervous, pay. You are in a foreign country with different rules.

This is just how we've learned to respond, from isolated experiences. Don't take it as Bible. They are police. They can imprison you if they feel it necessary. The bribery is an accepted part of an institution that still has rules. Knowing your rights doesn't mean he has to respect them. You are on their turf, and it's up to the cop how far he's willing to go.